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Former church youth group leader takes plea deal on sex crime

A former youth group leader at a Sebeka church approved a plea deal that would have him plead guilty to one count of criminal sexual conduct in Wadena County District Court, and serve a half a year in jail and another half a year on house arrest.

Jeffrey William Frodermann, 29, of Heron Lake, Minn., would also be required to register as a sex offender, serve nine years probation, pay a $3,000 fine and participate in treatment, according to the plea deal, which still has to be approved by a judge. A sentencing hearing to handle that has been set for Feb. 9, 2010. Frodermann would plead guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and have two other counts dismissed, if the judge approves.

Frodermann was a youth group leader at United Methodist Church in Sebeka, but resigned his position in July 2009, according to the Rev. Loren Ferch in an earlier interview. The church didn't learn of the accusation of sexual misconduct until long after Frodermann was gone -- about a week before the charge was filed -- and the church has cooperated fully with the investigation, Ferch said.

According to court documents, Frodermann met the girl through the church youth group. Then in late May or early June, she went to his house after a day of swimming, and he kissed her, undressed her, and had sexual contact with her there. The victim told investigators she and Frodermann had sexual intercourse on two separate occasions, once in Frodermann's vehicle and once at his house. The girl said she and Frodermann had discussed the age difference between them, and that Frodermann had commented that he could "get into trouble for it."